I'm planning to set up an Ethernet switch to connect a couple of devices in a room that's quite far from my Living Room router. I also need a long Ethernet cable for this. I have some questions: If I connect two or three devices to one cable, will my connection slow down? Do I need a specific type of cable? I've heard about Gigabit cables and want to make sure I choose a good one to maintain my connection speed. Also, are there any important points about using splitters or switches? I've seen some cheaper models that only work when one device is plugged in, which wouldn't be ideal.
5 Answers
There's no such thing as an Ethernet hub in the sense of what you're looking for, so definitely stick with a switch. It won't slow down your connection any more than plugging each device directly into the router; your connection is probably faster than your internet speed anyway!
Hubs still exist, but they're basically obsolete for modern networking. You should definitely opt for a switch. As for cables, just ensure that both your cable and switch support gigabit speeds. Look for at least a CAT 5e cable, which is pretty standard nowadays.
Honestly, just grab either a CAT 5e or CAT 6 cable and you'll be good. Don't stress too much about it!
A CAT 5e cable should be sufficient for what you're trying to do. However, if you're running longer distances, CAT 6 is a better choice since it performs slightly better. You can easily find an 8-port gigabit switch that doesn't break the bank!
You definitely want to go for a switch rather than a hub. Hubs are outdated and they broadcast data to all ports, which is much less efficient. A gigabit Ethernet switch will work perfectly for home use – just make sure to get one with more ports than you actually need!
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